Putting makes up nearly half the shots in a round, yet it is the part of the game most golfers practise least. A good putting aid is the quickest way to change that. It sharpens the two things that decide almost every putt, your setup and your start line, so you three-putt less and hole more from inside ten feet. Here is how to choose a putting aid, and the types that make the biggest difference. For the wider picture, see our guide to the best golf training aids.
Why your setup matters more than your stroke
Most missed putts are not caused by a bad stroke. They are caused by poor aim and an eye-line that is not over the ball, which sends the putt off line before you have even moved the putter. That is why the most effective putting aids train your setup and start line rather than trying to rebuild your stroke.
Types of putting aid and what they do
Putting mirrors
A putting mirror shows you whether your eyes are over the ball and your shoulders are square. It fixes the setup faults behind most missed putts, and it is the aid we would recommend to almost anyone.
Putting gates
Gates give you a narrow target to roll the ball through just in front of the hole, training a pure start line and a centre strike. You get instant feedback: the ball either goes through cleanly or it does not.
Putting mats
A putting mat gives you a true, consistent surface at home so you can build pace and distance control with daily reps. Look for one with alignment guides or distance markers.
Hole and target trainers
An adjustable hole or return trainer makes practice feel like the real thing and keeps you holing out, which builds confidence as well as technique.
How to choose a putting aid
- If your aim is off, start with a mirror.
- If you push or pull putts, add gates to train your start line.
- If your distance control lets you down, a mat with distance markers is what you need.
- If you want the full setup, a mat plus a mirror covers both line and pace.
A simple 10-minute putting routine
Spend a few minutes over a mirror checking your eyes and shoulders, then roll putts through a gate to groove your start line, and finish by hitting putts of different lengths on a mat to dial in your pace. Ten minutes a day will lower your scores faster than almost anything else in golf. If you are building a practice space, our guide on how to practise golf at home covers the rest of your setup.
Our top picks
- Golf Putting Mirror to check your eye-line and square your shoulders, the highest-impact fix for most golfers.
- Golf Putting Gates to train a pure start line and a centre strike.
- Golf Putting Mat with Distance Markers for a true roll and daily distance-control reps at home.
- Indoor Golf Putting Trainer with Adjustable Hole and Flag to keep you holing out and build confidence.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best putting aid?
For most golfers a putting mirror is the highest-impact aid, because it fixes the setup and eye-line faults behind most missed putts. Add gates for start line and a mat for distance control.
Do putting mats improve your putting?
Yes. Regular reps on a true surface build the pace and start-line control that carry straight over to the greens.
How often should I practise putting?
Short and often beats long and rare. Ten focused minutes a day is enough to see a real change in a few weeks.
Ready to hole more putts? Explore our Putting Aids range.